April 3, 2012

Yechel Gagnon : Public Art

Tong, 2011
Cast aluminium, 247" x 107"

Théâtre la Licorne, Montréal
Photo : Marc Cramer



Yechel Gagnon's Public Art Project @ Théâtre La Licorne
4559, Avenue Papineau, Montréal, Québec

Architects :
FABG



Yechel Gagnon, Tong, 2011
Cast aluminium, 247" x 107"
Photo : Marc Cramer


Yechel Gagnon created Tong, a large cast aluminium mural for the Licorne Theatre in Montreal. For the first time, she transposes her visual language within the realm of metal work. Gagnon created organic forms evoking movement and fluidity in dialogue with the dense and solid medium and city environment.

The title of the mural Tong, is a Chinese term meaning Together which alludes to the noted adage “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. This is undoubtedly an apt concept to associate with the Art of theatre. Indeed, a theatre play requires a strong collective effort to produce and it is as a group that we experience it as spectators.



Yechel Gagnon, Tong (detail), 2011
Photo : Marc Cramer


Creating public art projects triggers many new avenues in Yechel Gagnon’s production. For the Licorne Theatre, Gagnon had to question materiality in an entirely new way in order to create a work that would sustain the harsh exterior conditions. After an extensive research period of experimenting with numerous materials, she found a technique to transfer her visual language, usually associated with plywood bas-reliefs, into cast aluminium, adding yet another layer of complexity to her practice.


To read a great review of this installation published on Yatzer click here.



Yechel Gagnon, Tong (detail), 2011
Photo : Marc Cramer


Yechel Gagnon, Tong (detail), 2011
Photo : Marc Cramer


Yechel Gagnon, Tong (detail), 2011
Photo : Marc Cramer


Yechel Gagnon, Tong (detail), 2011
Photo : Marc Cramer

No comments: